Oral Hygiene

Dental Hygiene
Dental Hygiene And Teeth Brushing For Baby And Toddlers
1024 394 highlinedentistry

Should I brush my baby’s teeth?

You can start to clean a baby’s teeth as soon as the first tooth appears for dental hygiene. As more teeth develop, brush the child’s teeth with a soft toothbrush and water. No need to use toothpaste just yet! It may also be a good idea to sit in front of a mirror, that way you and your baby can see what you’re doing. Start off with very gentle, circular motion around all the teeth and all areas of the gums.

How can I get my toddler to clean his teeth?

It is important to start this activity when your child is young. One way to make it easier is by trying to make cleaning teeth a fun activity! Try different things such as letting your child brush your teeth and follow the below tips;

  1. Start the  oral hygiene at an early age.
  2. Always set a good example by brushing your own teeth
  3. Try to make tooth brushing into a game that you play together
  4. Remind the child of the importance of dental hygiene
  5. Always use age appropriate sized tooth brushes

 When should toddlers start to use toothpaste?

Children can be switched to fluoride toothpaste as soon as their teeth start to come in. However, only a small, grain-sized amount of paste is necessary to adequately clean a toddler’s teeth. This is also to avoid excess fluoride consumption if the child were to accidentally swallow the toothpaste while brushing. Try to avoid having your child swallow fluoride toothpaste when possible, although a small amount is usually harmless. With children under age 3 clean their teeth with water and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Parents should first start out supervising brushing until the child becomes more comfortable and develops the correct habits.

 Is the fluoride in toothpaste bad for toddlers?

It is generally safe for your child to swallow a small amount of fluoride toothpaste although it should be avoided if possible.  When children regularly swallow larger amounts of toothpaste, the excessive consumption of fluoride can cause dental fluorosis, which causes white stains on the teeth.

 What age should I take my baby to the dentist for the first time?

Babies should be taken to a dentist for pediatric care before their first birthday, since putting it off longer increases the child’s risk of developing plaque buildup or cavities. Some parents might think because baby teeth will eventually fall out there is no point in caring for them. The truth is that although you can’t see them, the child’s teeth are constantly developing so it is important to have a dental hygiene  &  check to see that everything is growing normally. You should take your children to a Highline Dental. We try to make sure the appointment goes as smooth as possible, and work to alleviate child patients’ anxiety and fears. Dentist such as Dr. Albert Kim are board-certified to help handle your child’s needs.

Yellow Teeth
Why Teeth Turn Yellow And Is It Normal To Have Yellow Teeth?
800 931 highlinedentistry

Is it bad to have yellow teeth?

As you age, your teeth can start yellowing as a natural part of the aging process. Why does this happen? This occurs over time due to everyday wear and tear on your teeth as the strong white protective coating on teeth (enamel) begins to fade. However if they are yellow due to bad dental hygiene, then yes, that’s definitely bad. There are cases where teeth are naturally yellow. This usually is a symptom with people who have high translucent enamel, they tend to have yellow shade because the dentin underneath shows through.


Does drinking certain fluids and smoking turn teeth yellow?

Fluids such as coffee, soda, and wine, which are high in tannins, can also cause yellow teeth. Smoking is another issue that can change your teeth color.  This is due to the nicotine and tar which seeps into the tooth’s enamel through tiny pores, leaving the teeth discolored. There are other substances that can get into the enamel of your teeth and can cause long-term discoloration.


Are yellow teeth unhealthy?

Some people are born with teeth that are more yellowish because of the thinner layer of their tooth enamel. The enamel if thinner then the naturally yellow color of your dentin will show and therefore be more prevalent. While certain foods and drinks can stain teeth it doesn’t mean the teeth are unhealthy. Some people have naturally white teeth but can still have gum infections or cavities. Similarly, individuals can have healthy teeth which are off-white, yellowish or even brownish in color.


Is it possible to stop my teeth from being yellow?

Following good dental hygiene practices can help prevent teeth from turning yellow. As any dentist will tell you, it is important to brush teeth at least twice a day, to floss regularly to remove plaque, and rinse with antiseptic mouthwash at least once a day to kill bacteria which causes plaque. It might be useful to deploy whitening toothpaste to remove surface stains to prevent yellowing.

Dental Emergency If Teeth Got Broken
What is considered a dental emergency?
750 500 highlinedentistry

What is considered a dental emergency?

If you’re experiencing pain, which includes bleeding or need treatment in order to save a tooth, these can be considered a dental emergency. In this case, please call us at Highline Dental (832- 220-9324) right away. And if you have severe swollen gums or jaw pain this can be a sign of infection, and is usually accompanied by a bad taste in your mouth, high temperatures, or fever. It may also be difficult to swallow food, drink fluids or even breathe. Please call our Highline Dental office if you suffer from any of the below symptoms so we may assist you.


What are the Signs of dental emergency situations?

  • Loose teeth & excessively bleeding gums
  • Prolonged severe toothache
  • Long headaches and excessive fatigue
  • Swelling in the jaw caused by abscess infection


After Hours Emergency Dentist – How Highline Dentistry Can Help

While most dental offices, including Highline Dental, are not open 24 hours, we do our best to assist you with dental emergencies. Don’t suffer in pain when you have injury causing excessive bleeding or accidents with loose or fractured tooth. Simply come see us for same day appointments or do a search for “dental emergency near me” if looking for an after hours, emergency dentist.


Can I go to Hospital Emergency Room or Urgent Care Centers for dental emergencies?

Hospital rooms generally do not have the proper facilities or training to deal with standard dental care. Emergency departments or urgent care centers may or may not have dentists on 24 hour call. However, staff at these centers are trained to stabilize the patient who may be suffering from fractured, broken or dislodged teeth and severe pain. Do a search for dental emergency near me and call to confirm your condition and what care they are able to provide you.

Teeth Infections
How Different Types of Water Affect Teeth
750 450 highlinedentistry

With a daily abundance of beverage options at your fingertips, are you aware of how your drink choices affect your overall health? Between the whopping amount of calories and added sugar in many sodas, sports drinks, and even some fruit juices, most of us know that water is the best choice for our oral health and overall health. Here, we’ll discuss the differences between three types of water: tap water, bottled water, and sparkling water which causes teeth infections.

Tap Water

When you turn on the faucet in your kitchen or bathroom, you’re using tap water. We wash our hands with it, we brush our teeth using it, and we often don’t think twice about it. This type of water must meet the standards of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In many parts of the country, this includes making sure it contains enough fluoride, which is often naturally occurring in the water supply (as is the case in Richmond, Texas), but fluoride is often added to a greater amount to offer more protection against tooth decay. Historically, the presence of fluoride in a community’s tap water has significantly reduced the occurrence of tooth decay. If you are using a filter with your tap faucet, you may be filtering out some of the beneficial fluoride, but usually it’s only in trace amounts so there’s no need to worry about teeth infections.

Bottled Water

In addition to being more expensive and potentially harmful to the environment, a standout characteristic of bottled water is that many brands do not include added fluoride. You and your family are missing out on some of the oral health benefits of fluoride if you get your water intake exclusively from non-fluoridated bottled water. So be sure you are brushing your teeth with a fluoridated toothpaste and rinsing occasionally with a mouthwash that contains fluoride.

Sparkling Water

Although it unfortunately doesn’t contain fluoride, sipping sparkling water is a simple way to add a little excitement to your water intake with its satisfying little bit of fizz. Carbonation, the source of that fun fizz, technically changes the pH of water and leads to a more acidic drink, but plain sparkling water has thus far proved to erode teeth enamel about the same as regular water, its non-carbonated, un-sparkly cousin. However, a word of caution: if your sparkling water is flavored with citrus or sugar, beware! Citrus-flavored sparkling water is actually much more acidic than plain sparkling water and poses a greater risk of enamel erosion. And if your sparkling water contains sugar, it’s no longer really just sparkling water; it’s a sweetened beverage that makes you more susceptible to tooth decay.

Our Team Is Here to Help!

Still have questions about how water affects teeth infections? Ask anyone on our friendly and knowledgeable team. We love educating our patients about their oral health. Moreover, if it has been more than six months since you last had a dental checkup and cleaning, contact us to set up your next appointment.

health effect
How Oral Health Affects Overall Health
800 475 highlinedentistry


Unhealthy Mouths Make for Unhappy Frowns


Gingivitis, Periodontitis & Advanced Periodontitis


  • Receding, tender, red, bleeding, or swollen gums
  • Pockets between your gums and teeth
  • One loose tooth or multiple loose teeth
  • Halitosis (also known as bad breath)

Tips for a Healthy Smile


  • Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time
  • Floss every day
  • Rinse and gargle with an alcohol-free mouthwash
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Replace your toothbrush every three months
  • Visit Highline Dental every six months for cleanings and checkups

Importance of Preventive Care
